Over 300 species of the family Columbidae, the classification name for doves and pigeons, exist in the world. The common pigeon was introduced into the United States as a domesticated bird, but many escaped and formed feral populations. The United States has nine native and four introduced species of doves or pigeons.

Doves and pigeons are raised for food and kept as pets. They are bred for racing, meat and "white dove" releases at weddings. Doves and pigeons make excellent pets. They are attractive, quiet, unobtrusive, have a calming, gentle voice, are fairly easy to tame, generally healthy and hardy, active but not demanding, require little maintenance and are usually inexpensive. Since doves and pigeons raise their own young to maturity, no incubators or other artificial paraphernalia are required to raise them. They are easy to breed and make excellent parents.

The difference between doves and pigeons is generally size. Doves are usually sleeker and smaller with pointed tails, while pigeons are larger and stockier with rounded tails. The common urban pigeon is also known as a "Rock Dove."

Disease Information
  USDA/APHIS: Helping You, the Poultry Breeder, Prevent Disease